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Recovery in Doubt for Chimp Victim

Woman lost face and hands in attack, may have brain damage

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2009 3:59 AM CST

(Newser) – Doctors are doubtful about any significant recovery for a woman attacked by a pet chimpanzee last month, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Charla Nash lost her hands, lips, eyelids, nose and part of the bone structure of her face in the vicious attack, and has been in critical condition since. Doctors believe her injuries may have left her blind and with brain damage.

"The full extent of these injuries, and her potential for recovery, if any, remain unclear," said a statement from the Cleveland Clinic. Nash was transported to the clinic—famous for performing America's first face transplant—within days of the attack, but doctors say it is too early to consider options for reconstructive surgery.

The gated driveway to the home where a woman was mauled by a chimpanzee last month. (AP Photo/Douglas Healey)

Travis sits in the corner of his playroom in 2003. The chimp was shot dead by a police officer last month after it attacked a woman . (AP Photo/The Stamford Advocate, Kathleen O'Rourke)

Travis, the chimp who left a woman with horrific injuries last month, is coaxed into a waiting sport utility vehicle in downtown Stamford, Conn., after escaping in 2003. (AP Photo/The Advocate )

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Recovery in Doubt for Chimp Victim

Woman lost face and hands in attack, may have brain damage

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Recovery in Doubt for Chimp Victim

Woman lost face and hands in attack, may have brain damage

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

chimpanzees • animal attack • Cleveland Clinic • Charla Nash

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Lion Kills S. African Zookeeper

Employee came out of retirement because of staff shortages

Shark Attack Fatalities Spiked Last Year

But no deaths occurred in US: new report

Mountain Lion Attacks Boy

6-year-old Texas boy survives attack in national park

Cheetah the Chimp Dead at 80

Famous chimp was once thought to have been Tarzan's sidekick

Feds Halt Chimp Research

NIH's temporary measure follows critical report

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?